"Why are you so determined to undermine Lilah? What has she ever done to you?"

His suspicions lingered, demanding clear answers to shield Lilah from further threats.

Instead of answering Xavier, Arya fixed Barth with an intense stare.

“Don't pretend ignorance; you're fully aware of what's happening," she snapped, shedding her facade.

Shock registered on Barth's face.

"If you were competent and had defeated Lilah as intended, none of this scheming would be necessary. You were supposed to lead the league next, but you lost to a girl. Everyone's mocking you behind your back, you fool.”

Barth's shoulders slumped, and he stumbled backward, almost Losing his balance.

"I... I just wanted to elevate the Fearless League. I believed leading meant..."

Arya scoffed bitterly. "You're so naive. The Fearless League isn't solely about martial arts anymore. Look at your recruits; how many are genuinely here for the sport? You let a bit of flattery cloud your judgment, believing everyone should yield to your grand cause—"

"Enough!" Bartley finally erupted.

His daughter might have warranted punishment, but he couldn't afford more exposure.

“Sirs, my daughter has grievously erred. Please, let us abide by our league's regulations," he said to the three elderly men, bowing solemnly.

“Even you gave up on me, Dad? I did this for us, for our shared objectives. Barth is the rightful heir, not that woman. But well..."

Arya paused, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. "It scarcely matters now. Everyone knows she won't survive. Why does she push herself so relentlessly? To fulfill some old men's ambitions, she refused immediate treatment to win this battle. Admirable, certainly, but what a tragic waste."

Arya's biting words cast a heavy shadow over everyone present, casting a somber mood among the three elderly men.

Cyrus, trembling, placed his hand on the wall for support as he entered the house.

In Lilah's room, Jerrold sat quietly beside his mother. Amid the chaos outside, Jerrold hadn't budged, unwilling to add to the turmoil.

Seeing Cyrus, Jerrold's face contorted with sorrowful confusion.

"Cyrus, is it true what they're saying? Is Mommy really going to die? I don't want Mommy to die."

Tears welled in Jerrold's deep eyes, hastily wiped away with his sleeve, leaving them reddened and irritated.

Cyrus felt a pang in his heart as he lifted Jerrold into his arms, soothing him gently. “Don't worry, Jerrold. Your father has gone to fetch the finest doctor. He'll bring your mother back safely, and I'll take care of everything, alright?"

Lilah lay in the bed, her face ghostly pale. She appeared Lifeless, her faint breathing the only sign of vitality.

Cyrus' eyes welled with tears as he carried Jerrold out of the room, struggling with his emotions.

“Arya, have you considered what will happen to this little boy if he loses his mom?" he said, his voice weighted with a mix of anger and sorrow.